Character Building? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T13:13:46Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/character-building?feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt can be a challenge, that's…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-11:537324:Comment:2378332010-06-11T02:18:38.256ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
It can be a challenge, that's for sure. My last project I unintentionally based on three people who all had the same motive in mind. To the average reader, the main characters will be sick and deprived but in real life, their crimes were far more unspeakable than what I could possibly have thought up. The saying truth is stranger than fiction certainly applies here.<br />
My next project I'm putting out as fiction (yet again) based on one person and one person only this time. I didn't realize until…
It can be a challenge, that's for sure. My last project I unintentionally based on three people who all had the same motive in mind. To the average reader, the main characters will be sick and deprived but in real life, their crimes were far more unspeakable than what I could possibly have thought up. The saying truth is stranger than fiction certainly applies here.<br />
My next project I'm putting out as fiction (yet again) based on one person and one person only this time. I didn't realize until after my last was complete that it mirrored a few people, so it could have been any of the them. I believe any story has to st…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-10:537324:Comment:2378012010-06-10T20:42:22.337ZKemosabehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lintonlewis
I believe any story has to start with a location. The characters have to be or have been someplace. I develope them and the plot from this and other places.
I believe any story has to start with a location. The characters have to be or have been someplace. I develope them and the plot from this and other places. Cool. It's a hard balance to…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-09:537324:Comment:2376642010-06-09T17:10:19.931ZRobin Spanohttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RobinSpano
Cool. It's a hard balance to strike, isn't it? Are you writing it as fiction?
Cool. It's a hard balance to strike, isn't it? Are you writing it as fiction? In the history of American se…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-09:537324:Comment:2376632010-06-09T17:06:44.569ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
In the history of American serial killers, the one I am working on now is based on Hadden Clark. Memorial Day weekend of 1986, he kidnapped and murdered a neighbor of mine, 6 year old Michelle Dorr. I am trying to put the story together in a way that emphasizes his crazy upbringing with alcoholic parents and such, but I don't want to go too much into his family life for the reasons you noted. Too much backstory would kill the whole thing, but I have to put enough in so the reader(s) understand…
In the history of American serial killers, the one I am working on now is based on Hadden Clark. Memorial Day weekend of 1986, he kidnapped and murdered a neighbor of mine, 6 year old Michelle Dorr. I am trying to put the story together in a way that emphasizes his crazy upbringing with alcoholic parents and such, but I don't want to go too much into his family life for the reasons you noted. Too much backstory would kill the whole thing, but I have to put enough in so the reader(s) understand where he came from and what drove him to be who he is/was. For me environment is seconda…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-09:537324:Comment:2376602010-06-09T16:41:49.232ZRobin Spanohttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RobinSpano
For me environment is secondary--both when I'm writing, and when I'm reading. I'm more interested in what's happening. I don't mean I like shallow fiction--I need to feel like my mind and emotions are engaged, and I want the characters to be complex and real--but I think the setting is there to support the characters and the plot, not to steal the stage from them.<br />
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Same with back story: Who someone is fascinates me, and how they became that way is important. But rather than go into detail…
For me environment is secondary--both when I'm writing, and when I'm reading. I'm more interested in what's happening. I don't mean I like shallow fiction--I need to feel like my mind and emotions are engaged, and I want the characters to be complex and real--but I think the setting is there to support the characters and the plot, not to steal the stage from them.<br />
<br />
Same with back story: Who someone is fascinates me, and how they became that way is important. But rather than go into detail explaining their childhood and family history, I would reveal just enough so the reader gets it, but not more. (My guess is I err on too little rather than too much.) Still, I think you can show so much more, in a more interesting way, just having your characters talk to each other.<br />
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But that may be the complete opposite of the story you're trying to tell. Are you writing a psychological composite or an exploration into how killers become killers? If so, ignore me. I write fast-paced crime fiction. My character and his environm…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-07:537324:Comment:2372842010-06-07T23:14:50.163ZBobhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bob24
My character and his environment (Miami) are tightly coupled. The settings are elements to support the plot lines and the plot lines are woven together to form a smooth flowing story that culminates in crisis. Now - I have an established character with an array of case files (short stories) and novels. That may put a unique slant on the question.<br />
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In short - the current story drives the setting for the established character.<br />
<br />
Smiles<br />
Bob
My character and his environment (Miami) are tightly coupled. The settings are elements to support the plot lines and the plot lines are woven together to form a smooth flowing story that culminates in crisis. Now - I have an established character with an array of case files (short stories) and novels. That may put a unique slant on the question.<br />
<br />
In short - the current story drives the setting for the established character.<br />
<br />
Smiles<br />
Bob It always story first with me…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-07:537324:Comment:2372032010-06-07T09:42:42.213ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
It always story first with me. I want my villian and protagonist to have the same goal, and my villians are never crazy. They just want what they want for different reasons than the protag.
It always story first with me. I want my villian and protagonist to have the same goal, and my villians are never crazy. They just want what they want for different reasons than the protag. Hi Guys/Girls,
Very interesti…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-07:537324:Comment:2371862010-06-07T03:08:55.749ZGaile Hugheshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/GaileHughes
Hi Guys/Girls,<br />
Very interesting topic. My understanding of the differences between the two is - quote ..Both the psychopath and sociopath fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving. They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, unmindful of putting themselves or others at risk.<br />
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Of the more distinguishing traits, some argue the sociopath to be less organized in his or her demeanor, nervous and easily agitated – someone likely living…
Hi Guys/Girls,<br />
Very interesting topic. My understanding of the differences between the two is - quote ..Both the psychopath and sociopath fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving. They routinely disregard rules, social mores and laws, unmindful of putting themselves or others at risk.<br />
<br />
Of the more distinguishing traits, some argue the sociopath to be less organized in his or her demeanor, nervous and easily agitated – someone likely living on the fringes of society, without solid or consistent economic support. A sociopath is more likely to spontaneously act out in inappropriate ways without thinking through the consequences.<br />
<br />
Conversely, some argue that the psychopath tends to be extremely organized, secretive and manipulative. The outer personality is often charismatic and charming, hiding the real person beneath. Though psychopaths do not feel for others, they can mimic behaviors that make them appear normal. Upon meeting, one would have more of a tendency to trust a psychopath than a sociopath... unquote 'Wisegeek diff between Sociopath/psychopath'.<br />
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As Dan says, you have to decide which he is, then build the back story. For me, after reading your article and doing the above research, I realise that my character is displaying borderline psychopathic behaviour, and now I can write more of the behaviour traits into his/her character. Thanks Jason and contributors, great food for thought. "Environment" for me includes…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-07:537324:Comment:2371592010-06-07T00:57:41.563ZJohn Desjarlaishttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnDesjarlais
"Environment" for me includes family and family life, and so it is important to me to know a lot about the home life and relatives of my characters. I won't dump it all in the story - but it helps me understand characters, both protagonist and antagonist.
"Environment" for me includes family and family life, and so it is important to me to know a lot about the home life and relatives of my characters. I won't dump it all in the story - but it helps me understand characters, both protagonist and antagonist. The character I'm building on…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2010-06-06:537324:Comment:2369592010-06-06T01:49:41.908ZJason Lewis / Garrett Alexanderhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JasonLewis
The character I'm building on now is by far a sociopath, the kind of person that would shake your hand to meet you then stab you with the other while still shaking the first. He will certainly have quirks about him from his childhood, which is where I am at now, and by time he comes full circle, all the quirks will show through. He will certainly be camouflaged since his chosen profession in life is a high pressure job, and like you said, by time anyone notices these things, it'll be way too…
The character I'm building on now is by far a sociopath, the kind of person that would shake your hand to meet you then stab you with the other while still shaking the first. He will certainly have quirks about him from his childhood, which is where I am at now, and by time he comes full circle, all the quirks will show through. He will certainly be camouflaged since his chosen profession in life is a high pressure job, and like you said, by time anyone notices these things, it'll be way too late to save either him or any victims.